MIDDLEBURG – WVIA is reporting… After two rounds of staff layoffs and a third still to come, Snyder County plans to close its prison later this year. Commissioners say agreements are already in place with surrounding counties to incarcerate people being held for trial, unable to post bail or serving out a criminal sentence.
Commissioner Joe Kantz said “tons of counties” are facing similar issues: lower inmate numbers and higher costs at their prisons. “I really have a feeling that we’re not going to be the only county this year or next year looking to change the way we do business [with our prisons],” Kantz said.
Two county-funded studies showed the closure would save taxpayers money, Kantz added. “You’re probably looking at a minimum of $1.7 million [in savings] in the next 12 months if you outsource these other inmates to other county facilities,” Kantz said of the study findings.
“Much like every person deals with their monthly grocery bill or their healthcare costs or their transportation costs, fuel costs,” he said, “everything that we do at the prison has continually increased by double digits or more.” Commissioners say Snyder County Prison near Selinsgrove is set to close later this year.
There were 38 people incarcerated in Snyder County as of Tuesday, Sees said. That’s about one quarter of the prison’s capacity, according to the Pa. Department of Corrections (PADOC).
